Sen. Daylin Leach. |
The Pennsylvania legislature will consider legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana and regulating cannabis similarly to alcohol this session, thanks to a bill sponsored by Sen. Daylin Leach.
Leach’s bill, which hasn’t been posted on the state legislative site yet, would allow for possession of limited amounts of cannabis and would create state-regulated stores where cannabis could be sold to people over 21. The language is being touted as being similar to Amendment 64 in Colorado – though no official language has been released as of this posting.
Previously, Leach unsuccessfully fought for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania in 2011. He has said he is willing to co-sponsor similar legislation this year in addition to his legalization efforts. “It’s a tragedy that people are being denied medical marijuana because of irrational wives’ tales and a disregard for sound science,” Leach told the Philadelphia Weekly last December.
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett has said he would veto any cannabis legalization bills put before him. Corbett says marijuana is a gateway drug and that cannabis users are all criminals.
For more information, check out the rest of the story by Michael Roberts over at the Denver Westword.